Kim King

Kim King
Personal Info
Date of Birth October 6, 1945[1]
Player Information
Position Quarterback
Number 18
School Georgia Institute of Technology
Bowl Games Started
1965 Gator Bowl
1967 Orange Bowl
Teams Played For
Georgia Tech 1965-1967

D. Kimbrough ("Kim") King was Georgia Tech's starting quarterback for three years beginning in 1965. During his career, he led the team in 712 plays, completing 243 passes for 2763 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 506 yards, placing him in Tech's all-time top 10 quarterbacks. Al Ciraldo, Tech's play-by-play announcer, gave Kim the nickname "The Young Left-Hander."[2] He was inducted into the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1978[3] and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.[4] In 2000, he was named one of Georgia Tech's "50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century."[1][5]

Kim joined Al Ciraldo in the announcer's booth in 1974 as American football color commentator.[2][6] After Ciraldo's retirement in 1993, Kim continued his duties, eventually being paired with current Tech play-by-play, Wes Durham in 1995.[5] Kim continued broadcasting after his initial diagnosis with leukemia, though he had to miss games at times to travel for medical treatment.[6]

Aside from football, Kim was a very accomplished businessman with presence in the Atlanta business and political communities. Kim was a successful developer and founded his own firm, Kim King and Associates.[5][6] He served as finance chairman for former Gov. Roy Barnes and chairman of the Georgia Public Broadcasting board.[1] He helped raise money for cancer research and the Bobby Dodd Charities Foundation.[1][7]

Kim lost his extended battle with leukemia on October 12, 2004, six days after his 59th birthday.[7] Fortunately, Georgia Tech was able to honor him at the school’s October 2, 2004 home football game against Miami. Kim and his wife were treated to a lap around the field in the "Ramblin' Wreck" and the school dedicated the Kim King Football Locker Room at Bobby Dodd Stadium.[1][7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Woods, Walter (2004-10-12). "Obituaries: Kim King". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. http://www.legacy.com/Atlanta/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=2700380. Retrieved 2007-03-06. 
  2. ^ a b Coffee, Hoyt (Winter 1996). "Colorful Character: The 'Young Left-Hander' is more than just a radio commentator; he's made a hobby out of Georgia Tech". Tech Topics (Georgia Tech Alumni Association). http://gtalumni.org/Publications/techtopics/win96/king.html. Retrieved 2007-03-06. 
  3. ^ "Georgia Tech Athletics Hall of Fame". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/ot/fame/halloffame.html. Retrieved 2007-03-06. 
  4. ^ "Kim King". Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. http://www.gshf.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=181&Itemid=50. Retrieved 2007-03-06. 
  5. ^ a b c Schenke, Jarred (2004-10-11). "Developer, Georgia Tech football star Kim King dies". Atlanta Business Chronicle. http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2004/10/11/daily12.html?page=1. Retrieved 2007-03-06. 
  6. ^ a b c Tamsberg, Edward (2004-10-15). "Kim King dies at age 59". The Technique. http://nique.net/issues/2004-10-15/sports/2. Retrieved 2007-03-06. 
  7. ^ a b c Campell, Elizabeth (2004-10-12). "Tech Legend Kim King Dies" (Press release). Georgia Institute of Technology. http://www.gatech.edu/news-room/release.php?id=469. Retrieved 2007-03-06.